Lifting Tech Uses Fans to Steady Complex Loads
Vita Load Navigator 2.0 (VLN 2.0) helps manage complex lifting loads with greater precision than the predecessor. The semi-autonomous propulsion-driven device connects below the hook of the crane and is remotely controlled. Measuring over 1,000 data points per second, the system detects load movement in real-time and adjusts the load with high-powered fans to eliminate spinning, rotations, and other problems that cause site damage or injuries.
The video at right shows the original VLN deployed on a 39-story project.
The upgraded design doubles the energy capacity of the unit, enabling it to be used longer before needing to be recharged. The redesigned control box supports a broad range of rigging angles, making it compatible with various lift types. A completely re-engineered data fusion algorithm and sensor suite improves precision and accuracy in GPS-challenged environments. The design has been simplified to streamline configuration changes on the go.
Hensel Phelps used the next generation technology on a project in California.
“The VLN 2.0 made my life a lot easier,” said James Morrow, crane operator for Maxim Crane Works, who operated the system on the Hensel Phelps site. “I could hold the load within one degree even while booming and swinging—something I’ve never been able to do before.”
